For me, the best part of warm weather is being able to cast aside my ugly but practical snowboots in favor of cute summer shoes. After a long Midwestern winter, it’s always a relief to be able to break out colorful summer clothes like these striped Chelsea flats from Lower East Side at Payless.
I have a pair of shoes that are almost exactly like these that I picked up from Payless a couple of years ago. They are very comfortable and I get compliments on them every time I wear them. They’re a slightly nicer alternative to wearing flip flops with shorts and capris, but just as easy to throw on when you’re racing out the door in the morning.
If you find ballet flats uncomfortable, however, try buying gel insoles or arch supports to add to your shoes. I’ve done this with a few shoes in the past and it seems to be somewhat helpful, especially for those times when I’ll be wearing the shoes while walking long distances.
I’ve also heard people say that ballet flats tend to be more comfortable if you go up a size, although I haven’t found this tip to be particularly useful since it’s hard enough to find shoes that fit my big feet.
Payless shoes are pretty affordable normally, but I try to make my money stretch as far as possible. Whenever I buy shoes from Payless, I always wait until they’re running the BOGO promotion. I seldom buy two pairs of shoes for myself at one time, but I can usually find something for my son or my husband.
If all else fails, take a look at the store’s accessory section. You can usually find socks, umbrellas, or backpacks that someone in your family can use.
Photo credit: Payless
